The water usage cycle

IN THE SUPPLY AND THE SANITATION

Human beings need water not only to live, but also to develop their activities. If they wish to make sustainable use of this precious natural resource, this has to be done by managing the water usage cycle in an intelligent manner.

Supply

The first step is to ensure that the water used for human consumption is of the purity required. To do this, once the water has been removed from the natural environment, it has to be adequately treated in Drinking Water Treatment Plants before being distributed to the end users in optimum condition via a network of pipes and installations (pumping stations, measurement and control facilities, etc.). This constitutes the water usage supply cycle.

Sanitation

The second step involves returning water that has been directly used either by human beings or for industrial purposes (wastewater) to the rivers and other water systems in a condition that will not alter the natural water cycle. To achieve this, it is necessary to transport wastewater to and purify it in Wastewater Purification Plants. This constitutes the water usage sanitation cycle.

By completing this cycle and maintaining a responsible water consumption policy, it is possible to preserve the environment and ensure that it remains unspoilt for future generations to both benefit from and enjoy.